April 17, 2013

AZ Technology & Innovation: High School App Developer

Perry Waxman is just 18 and still in high school in Phoenix, but is already a member of Apple's Developer Network. He’s created two successful apps after teaching himself how to code. Waxman will talk about his apps and his future.

Ted Simons: OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE OF ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ISSUES FOCUSES TONIGHT ON A YOUNG APP DEVELOPER. PERRY WAXMAN IS 18 YEARS OLD, A VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, AND A DEVELOPER OF DEVICE APPLICATIONS THAT LED HIM TO A JOB WITH APPLE.

Ted Simons: GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

Perry Waxman: THANK YOU.

Ted Simons: WHAT IS AN APP? HOW DOES ONE CREATE AN APP?

Perry Waxman: IT'S A SHORTENED TERM FOR APPLICATION. APPS CAN DO BASICALLY ANYTHING YOU WANT FOR WHATEVER REASON. SO A CALCULATOR, A GPS IS AN APPLICATION. BASICALLY ANYTHING.

Ted Simons: SO HOW DO YOU DEVELOP ONE OF THESE THINGS?

Perry Waxman: IF YOU'RE GOING TO DEVELOP FOR APPLE YOU HAVE TO USE THEIR ARBITRARY DEVELOPMENT TOOLS. SO YOU REGISTER IT THROUGH THEIR DEVELOPER NETWORK, AND YOU GET CODING.

Ted Simons: WE HAVE SOME SHOTS I THINK OF YOUR NOTES. IT LOOKS AWFULLY COMPLICATED.

Perry Waxman: IT IS. IT'S NOT EASY.

Ted Simons: YEAH. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT NOW, IS THIS MORE DESIGN?

Perry Waxman: YEAH, THOSE ARE JUST NOTES AND JUST SOME REALLY JUST SKETCHES OF AN APP I'M COMING OUT WITH IN THE COMING MONTHS. IT'S A GAME, IT'S SUPER SIMPLE. IT'S REALLY JUST IN ITS INFANCY RIGHT NOW. IT'S ALL DRAWINGS.

Ted Simons: WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN THIS?

Perry Waxman: I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING HOW I COULD REACH SO MANY PEOPLE WITH SOMETHING PRETTY SIMPLE. AND ALSO THAT I COULD CREATE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING BASICALLY.

Ted Simons: AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CODE HERE, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO MOST OF US. EVEN FOR YOU, YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THIS, IT STILL TAKES A LOT OF TIME, DOESN'T IT?

Perry Waxman: IT TAKES A LOT OF RESEARCH AND PATIENCE.

Ted Simons: I'LL BET. WAS THERE AN APP THAT FIRST GOT YOU THINKING, I WANT TO DO THIS? LIKE AN INSPIRATIONAL THING?

Perry Waxman: I WOULDN'T SAY JUST AN APP, BUT HOW PEOPLE ARE SO TIED TO SOFTWARE, AND HOW INTIMATE IT CAN BE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN BE EMOTIONAL ABOUT IT. TO ME THAT IS REALLY INTERESTING.

Ted Simons: IT'S A WAY TO CONNECT WITH FOLKS IS WHAT IT IS.

Perry Waxman: UH-HUH.

Ted Simons: NOW, YOU HAVE -- HOW MANY HAVE YOU DEVELOPED SO FAR?

Perry Waxman: THREE.

Ted Simons: AND HOW MANY FOLKS HAVE DOWNLOADED THEM?

Perry Waxman: ABOUT 12,000 OR SO.

Ted Simons: DO YOU GET RESPONSE? DOES SOMEONE FROM MAINE SEND YOU NOTES SAYING I LOVE IT, I HATE IT?

Perry Waxman: SOME PEOPLE CAN REVIEW IT, I CAN SEE WHO'S DOWNLOADING IN WHICH COUNTRIES AND FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGES, LOSING OR GAINING.

Ted Simons: THEY ARE DOWNLOADING IT AROUND THE WORLD?

Perry Waxman: YEAH.

Ted Simons: IT'S KIND OF A KICK, ISN'T IT?

Perry Waxman: YEAH.

Ted Simons: WHAT DO YOUR APPS DO? SHOW US REAL QUICK. IS IT A GPS KIND OF A THING OR A GAME?

Perry Waxman: ONE OF THEM IS L&L WHICH STAND FOR LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE.

Ted Simons: GO AHEAD AND TELL US WHAT IT DOES AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

Perry Waxman: IT FINDS WHERE WE ARE, WHEREVER SOMEONE ELSE IS. YOU CAN'T FIND WHERE OTHER PEOPLE ARE BECAUSE THAT'S KIND OF CREEPY. BUT IT GIVES US OUR LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE IN NUMBERS.

Ted Simons: HOLD IT UP FOR THE CAMERA THERE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. AND THAT'S ON YOUR IPHONE. WHAT IS IT EXACTLY DOING THERE?

Perry Waxman: IT'S FOUND WHERE WE ARE, SO WE'RE IN THE WALTER CRONKITE SCHOOL.

Ted Simons: WE INDEED ARE.

Perry Waxman: AND IT GIVES US LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE. IT'S HARD TO READ IT BUT IT'S UP HERE.

Ted Simons: THAT'S BASICALLY IT.

Perry Waxman: YEAH.

Ted Simons: WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

Perry Waxman: I WAS JUST EXPERIMENTING WITH SOME CODE WITH CORE LOCATION AND FRAMEWORKS LIKE THAT. WHY NOT MAKE IT, I THOUGHT WHY NOT MAKE IT?

Ted Simons: WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE HAVE YOU HAD FOR THAT ONE?

Perry Waxman: NO ONE'S DONE ANY REVIEWS, IT'S NOT THAT SIGNIFICANT OF AN APP, IT'S SUPER SIMPLE.

Ted Simons: SPEAKING OF FRIENDS AT SCHOOL, WHAT DO THEY THINK OF MR. BIG SHOT DEVELOPING APPS AND WORKING FOR APPLE?

Perry Waxman: I DON'T LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE ALL ABOUT IT, I JUST DO MY OWN THING. THEY THINK IT'S COOL, I GUESS. TO ME IT'S KIND OF NERDY. SO MANY PEOPLE USE SO MUCH TECHNOLOGY TODAY, BEING SOLELY FOR A NERDY CROWD ISN'T CORRECT.

Ted Simons: WE'RE LOOKING AGAIN AT THE L&L AS THEY CALL IT. WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK ABOUT IT?

Perry Waxman: THEY ARE PRETTY IMPRESSED.

Ted Simons: WAS IT KIND OF, THAT'S NICE, GO AHEAD AND HAVE FUN? DID THEY KNOW YOU WERE SERIOUS ABOUT IT?

Perry Waxman: THEY KNEW I WAS PRETTY SERIOUS, I WAS SPENDING HOURS AND HOURS A WEEK DOING IT, GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED AND TALKING ABOUT IT THROUGH DINNER AND WHATEVER. SO YEAH.

Ted Simons: SO YOU'RE AT VALLEY LUTHERAN, A SENIOR, RIGHT?

Perry Waxman: YEAH.

Ted Simons: HEADED TO --

Perry Waxman: ASU.

Ted Simons: YOU'RE GOING TO ASU, FORGET HARVARD AND STANFORD?

Perry Waxman: I'M GOING TO MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING.

Ted Simons: YOU'RE GOING TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR, MAYBE WORK FOR A COMPANY?

Perry Waxman: YEAH, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

Ted Simons: WAS IT TRIAL AND ERROR? HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO?

Perry Waxman: A LOT OF TRIAL AND ERROR, A LOT OF RESEARCH, A LOT OF BOOKS. I'VE READ A LOT OF BOOKS ABOUT IT. YOUTUBE IS A GREAT RESOURCE TO WATCH PEOPLE DO IT, TALK ABOUT IT. BUT TO ME, LEARNING IS THE BEST WHEN SOMEONE ELSE CAN TEACH YOU PERSON TO PERSON.

Ted Simons: ALMOST A MENTORING KIND OF SITUATION. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS MENTORING SOMEONE SOMEDAY?

Perry Waxman: YEAH, YEAH.

Ted Simons: DO YOU SEE YOURSELF DEVELOPING MORE GAMES OR MORE LIKE THE L&L?

Perry Waxman: I'M NOT SURE. I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT SOFTWARE IS THAT -- THAT CAN REALLY INFLUENCE PEOPLE ON HOW THEY DO THINGS, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S SOCIAL NETWORKING, COMMUNICATION IN GENERAL, OR ENTERTAINMENT. BUT JUST TO REALLY GET SOMEONE INTO THEIR TECHNOLOGY IS WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.

Ted Simons: ALMOST INSTRUCTIONAL IN A WAY?

Perry Waxman: INSTRUCTIONAL, WHATEVER I CAN THINK OF I WOULD PROBABLY DO.

Ted Simons: AND AS FAR AS WORKING FOR APPLE, HOW DID THIS GET STARTED?

Perry Waxman: WELL, YOU JUST REGISTER IN THEIR DEVELOPER PORTAL. THEY GIVE YOU THE RESOURCES YOU COULD ASK FOR, AND THEN YOU JUST START DEVELOPING.

Ted Simons: BASICALLY IT'S NOT SO MUCH THAT THEY CAME AND KNOCKED ON YOUR DOOR AND SAID, HERE, SIGN A CONTRACT, YOU'RE WORKING FOR APPLE ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS DOING THIS?

Perry Waxman: YES, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER DEVELOPERS.

Ted Simons: THIS HAS GOT TO BE PRETTY EXCITING FOR YOU. I'M FASCINATED THAT YOU DECIDED ON YOUR OWN YOU WERE GOING TO DO THIS. WERE YOU EVER DISCOURAGED EARLY ON?

Perry Waxman: EXTREMELY DISCOURAGED, I WAS MAD, FRUSTRATED. BUT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS GETTING WORDS ON THE SCREEN IS SO PROFOUND AND EXCITING THAT YOU JUST WANT TO KEEP DOING IT AND DOING IT AND MAKING IT BETTER AND BETTER AND BETTER.

Ted Simons: WHEN YOU SAID YOU'VE DEVELOPED GAMES AND INSTRUCTIONAL STUFF, REALLY, YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, CAN'T YOU?

Perry Waxman: REALLY.

Ted Simons: IF IT COMES TO YOUR MIND YOU CAN DEVELOP IT?

Perry Waxman: YEAH, CERTAINLY. THE ONLY THING STOPPING ANYONE FROM GOING THEMSELVES WITH THIS, OR ANYTHING ELSE, FOR THAT MATTER.

Ted Simons: THERE'S ALWAYS STILL MORE TO LEARN.

Perry Waxman: OF COURSE.

Ted Simons: CONGRATUALATION, GOOD LUCK AT ASU. THANKS FOR STICKING AROUND FOR THAT TOO CAUSE WE NEED YA. AND CONTINUED SUCCESS, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

Ted Simons: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," I'M TED SIMONS. THE U.S. SENATE'S COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION PLAN WAS UNVEILED TODAY. THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP AND REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO USE E-VERIFY TO CHECK WORKERS' ELIGIBILITY. THE PLAN EXPANDS SOME VISA CATEGORIES AND DECREASES OTHERS, AND CALLS FOR THE ENTIRE BORDER TO BE MONITORED BY HOMELAND SECURITY. JOINING US TO HELP BETTER EXPLAIN THE PLAN IS IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY REGINA JEFFERIES. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

Regina Jeffries: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

Ted Simons: WE CAN'T GO THROUGH ALL 844 PAGES, BUT WERE THERE ANY SURPRISES?

Regina Jeffries: I THINK THERE WERE SOME SURPRISES. THERE WERE ALSO NOT SURPRISES, AS WELL. NOBODY WAS REALLY SURPRISED TO SEE A LOT OF THIS WOULD BE CONTINGENT ON AN INCREASE IN BORDER SECURITY, IN ORDER TO GET SOME OF THE THINGS LIKE THE PROVISIONAL STATUS THAT WOULD LEAD TO CITIZENSHIP ULTIMATELY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HERE. BUT AS FAR AS SURPRISES GO, ONE OF THE SURPRISES WAS THAT THE WORK-BASED VISAS WOULD BE MORE TIED TO THE MARKET, THAT SOME OF THE FAMILY-BASED CATEGORIES WOULD BE ELIMINATED IN FAVOR OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMMIGRATION. SO IT WAS REALLY ACTUALLY AN INTERESTING MIX OF THINGS THAT CAME OUT, THIS BILL.

Ted Simons: LET'S START WITH BORDER SECURITY. IT DOES SEEM LIKE A LOT OF THINGS DEPEND ON THAT. WHAT DOES THE PLAN CALL FOR, AND HOW DOES BORDER SECURITY IMPACT OTHER ASPECTS?

Regina Jeffries: BORDER SECURITY IS A PRETTY BIG FOCUS OF THE PLAN. ONE OF THE THINGS IT DOES IS THAT IT CALLS FOR REACHING A 90% APPREHENSION RATE ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER. THE MAIN FOCUS IS ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. IT CALLS FOR ACTUALLY PUTTING A LOT MORE MONEY INTO BORDER SECURITY AND THOSE AGENCIES THAT ARE WORKING ON THE BORDER, INCLUDING INCREASING NUMBERS OF AGENTS ON THE BORDERS, INCREASING TECHNOLOGY, THE USE OF DRONES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

Regina Jeffries: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THERE IS A DEFINITION IN THE PROPOSED BILL OF THIS, BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT SORT OF REMAINS TO BE SEEN. WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IS A 90% APPREHENSION RATE OF ALL ENTRANTS. IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING HOW THEY COUNT ALL ENTRANTS IF YOU'RE NOT CATCHING 10% OF THEM.

Ted Simons: IF YOU MAKE IT THROUGH, HOW DO WE KNOW -- I GUESS THEY WILL WORK THAT OUT.

Regina Jeffries: THERE IS A COMMISSION FOR THAT.

Ted Simons: I'M SURE THERE IS. THERE'S AN ADJUSTING OF STATUS TO WHAT'S CALLED PROVISIONAL IMMIGRANT STATUS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Regina Jeffries: THIS IS SORT OF THE FIRST STEP ON THE PATH TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HERE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS CATEGORY WOULD NOT INCLUDE EVERY SINGLE PERSON CURRENTLY HERE UNLAWFULLY. IT WOULD LEAVE OUT CERTAIN GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE INDIVIDUALS WITH AN AGGRAVATED FELONY, WHICH IS A TERM UNDER IMMIGRATION LAW. IT WOULD EXCLUDE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY. SO THERE ARE CERTAIN CRIMINAL BARS TO THAT, AS WELL. BUT FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE HERE, IT WOULD PROVIDE A SORT OF STEPPINGSTONE TO THAT LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE STATUS, AND ALLOW THEM TO BE HERE WITH THAT STATUS, WORK AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

Ted Simons: THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO BACK HOME AND REAPPLY AS SOME HAD SUGGESTED?

Regina Jeffries: THAT'S NOT PART OF THE PROPOSAL AT THIS POINT.

Ted Simons: WHAT ABOUT FAMILIES? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE UNDOCUMENTED THAT ARE HERE?

Regina Jeffries: FOR THE FAMILY, IT MEANS MORE SECURITY. THIS IS JUST A PROPOSED BILL, SO WE STILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT COMES OF IT. IT DOES REALLY AIM TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER. ACTUALLY ONE OF THE SURPRISES, SINCE YOU ASKED EARLIER, IT WOULD ALLOW CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD BEEN DEPORTED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE BILL TO BE ABLE TO APPLY TO COME BACK IN, IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY TYPE OF CRIMINAL RECORD, AND IF THEY COULD SHOW THEY HAD AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER WHO'S A U.S. CITIZEN AND LIVING HERE.

Ted Simons: AS FAR AS INCREASING VISAS FOR SKILLED WORKERS, UNSKILLED WORKERS, HOW DOES THAT PLAY IN HERE?

Regina Jeffries: YEAH, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THIS BILL DOES THAT'S GOOD IS THAT IT ACTUALLY SORT OF LOOKS MORE AT A MARKET-BASED APPROACH FOR THINGS LIKE H1Bs, VISAS FOR PROFESSIONALLY SKILLED WORKERS. THEY PERPETUALLY RUN OUT EVERY YEAR. IT'S CAPPED AT A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF VISAS THAT'S SORT OF JUST PICKED OUT OF THE AIR. THE BILL RECOGNIZES YOU CAN'T JUST PICK A NUMBER, BECAUSE THE MARKET WILL SORT OF DICTATE HOW MANY ARE NEEDED IN A CERTAIN YEAR. THERE MAY BE MORE OR FEWER NEEDED.

Ted Simons: THE QUESTION IS, WHO DECIDES WHAT THE MARKET IS SAYING.

Regina Jeffries: THAT’S A GOOD QUESTIONS. THESE ARE ALL DETAILS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE COME OUT.

Ted Simons: AND EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION ALSO A MAJOR ASPECT OF THE PLAN. ENHANCING E-VERIFY? KEEPING IT AS IT IS?

Regina Jeffries: IT DOES MAKE E-VERIFY MANDATORY FOR EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ARIZONA WILL BE AHEAD OF THE GAME ON THAT ONE.

Ted Simons: SO AS FAR AS ADDRESSING THE PATH TO CITIZENSHIP, WHAT CHANGES?

Regina Jeffries: WELL, WHAT CHANGES IS THAT IT ACTUALLY PROVIDES A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO EARN THEIR WAY TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY AND EARN THEIR WAY TO CITIZENSHIP. IT'S NOT AUTOMATIC BY ANY MEANS. AND UNDER THIS THEY WOULD HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDE CERTAIN DOCUMENTATION. IT'S NOT JUST FOR ANYBODY. IT IS A COMPROMISE BILL, IT DOES LEAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT. NOT EVERYONE'S GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH THIS OBVIOUSLY.

Ted Simons: BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE SEEKING ASYLUM?

Regina Jeffries: FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS THERE'S ONE CHANGE THAT'S INTERESTING, ONE THING IT DOES IS IT GETS RID OF THE ONE-YEAR FILING BAR. THAT MEANS UNDER ASYLUM LAW CURRENTLY YOU HAVE TO APPLY WITHIN ONE YEAR OF YOUR ENTRY INTO THE U.S. FOR ASYLUM. IT'S REALLY A POOR POLICY. YOU END UP HAVING A LOT OF CASES WHERE PEOPLE WITH LEGITIMATE CLAIMS, THEY CAN'T APPLY WITHIN THAT ONE-YEAR PERIOD FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO SHOW ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS APPLIES. IT'S A GOOD CHANGE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO ALLOW FOR LEGITIMATE CLAIMS TO BE ACTUALLY HEARD.

Ted Simons: WITH ALL OF THIS, WHAT ARE YOU ADVISING PEOPLE? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

Regina Jeffries: WELL, RIGHT NOW SINCE IT'S JUST A BILL, I'M REALLY TELLING PEOPLE WE'RE DOING A LOT OF WAIT AND SEE. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE STAY INFORMED. THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S SIMILAR TO THE DEFERRED ACTION PROGRAM WITH THE DREAMER STUDENTS, THAT YOU REALLY JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT AND TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE GETTING GOOD INFORMATION, THAT YOU'RE GETTING INFORMATION THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT ISN'T FROM DISREPUTABLE SOURCES.

Ted Simons: AS FAR AS THE DREAMERS ARE CONCERNED, ARE THEY ADDRESSED IN THIS BILL?

Regina Jeffries: THEY ARE, THEY COME OUT REALLY WELL IN THIS BILL. IT DOES SIGNIFY THE SPECIAL STATUS OF THAT POPULATION AND THE RECOGNITION THAT SENATORS HAVE OF THEIR SPECIAL STATUS. THEY HAVE AN EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP.

Ted Simons: AS YOU MENTIONED, IT'S SO BROAD AND THERE'S SO MUCH IN THERE, IT'S NOT ONLY BROAD BUT COMPLICATED AT THE SAME TIME. WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF AMENDMENTS, DON'T YOU THINK?

Regina Jeffries: I THINK THERE WILL BE QUITE A LOT OF DEBATE AND AMENDMENTS. IT BE AN ENTERTAINING COUPLE OF MONTHS.

Ted Simons: GOOD TO GET A BETTER DEFINITION OF WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US, WE APPRECIATE IT.

Legislative Update

Ted Simons: LAWMAKERS REVIVE A MEDICAL CARE PRICING BILL, AND SEND A GUN MEASURE TO THE GOVERNOR. HERE NOW WITH OUR MIDWEEK LEGISLATIVE UPDATE IS LUIGE DEL PUERTO FROM THE "ARIZONA CAPITOL TIMES." WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE BUDGET, FIRST?

Luige del Puerto: IT'S ALREADY APRIL, MIDDLE OF APRIL ALREADY, AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE A BUDGET. WHETHER HE IS PREPARED AS LEADER OF THE SENATE TO GO AHEAD AND PASS THEIR OWN SENATE PROPOSAL WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S BUY-IN. BASICALLY PROD THE PROCESS ALONG. THE TACTIC HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE TO GET THE TWO SIDES MOVING IF THERE'S A STALEMATE OR SO. HE'S NOT PREPARED TO PICK A FIGHT WITH THE GOVERNOR OVER THE BUDGET. AS LONG AS THE TWO SIDES ARE MEETING AND THEY ARE MEETING REGULARLY AT STAFF TO STAFF LEVEL. AS LONG AS THEY ARE MAKING PROGRESS AND AGREEING ON NUMBERS AND IN THE ROOM TOGETHER, HE SAID WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

Ted Simons: IF HE WERE TO SEND SOMETHING OUT, THAT WOULD BE BASICALLY A "BRING IT ON" KIND OF MESSAGE?

Luige del Puerto: YES. IT WOULD BE HIM POKING THE GOVERNOR IN THE EYE INDIRECTLY.

Ted Simons: THE ENCOURAGING NEWS IS THEY ARE TALKING, THERE IS NEGOTIATION, THERE MAY BE YELLING AND SCREAMING, BUT IT'S BEHIND DOORS.

Luige del Puerto: HE SAID IN FACT THINGS WOULD HAPPEN VERY QUICKLY IF THEY GET TO SOME POINT WHERE THEY ARE READY TO PROPOSE A BUDGET THAT HAS THE BUY-IN OF BOTH SIDES, THINGS CAN MOVE VERY QUICKLY.

Ted Simons: THINGS MOVED FAR AS A BILL INVOLVING -- A LOT OF CITIES HAVE A GUN BUY-BACK PROGRAM. THEY BUY THE STUFF AND MELT IT DOWN AND WE ALL MOVE ON. WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

Luige del Puerto: ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO THE STATE LEGISLATURE ENACTED A LAW THAT BASICALLY REQUIRED THE POLICE TO SELL THE GUNS THEY CONFISCATED DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME TO LICENSED FIREARMS DEALERS. THERE'S A LOOPHOLE IN THAT LAW. THAT LOOPHOLE IS BEING EXPLOITED BY SOME CITIES. THE CITY OF TUCSON HAS GUN BUY-BACK PROGRAMS. THE ARGUMENT IS THAT THE GUNS THAT SHOULD BE SOLD TO LICENSED FIREARMS DEALERS ARE THE GUNS THAT WERE CONFISCATED. THESE ARE NOT GUNS THAT WERE FORFEITED OR CONFISCATED, THEY WERE VOLUNTARILY TURNED IN BY THE GUN OWNERS. THEY ARE OLD, NOT USEABLE, THEY ARE NOT DEFINED AS THE ONES THAT SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO LICENSED FIREARMS DEALERS. THIS YEAR LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PRO-GUN INTRODUCED A BILL, THAT'S BEEN PASSED NOW BY BOTH BODIES, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, THAT BASICALLY SAID, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE MAY NOT OR SHOULD NOT OR CANNOT FACILITATE THE DESTRUCTION OF A FIREARM. BASICALLY STOPS TUCSON FROM DESTROYING THEIR FIREARMS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE RECOVERED FROM THEIR GUN BUY-BACK PROGRAM.

Ted Simons: WHY?

Luige del Puerto: WELL, THERE IS -- THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION. AS YOU KNOW, ARIZONA HAS ALWAYS HAD A VERY STRONG TRADITION WHEN IT COMES TO THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS. THERE IS A STRONG SEGMENT, A STRONG NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS WHO JUST DON'T THINK GUNS SHOULD BE DESTROYED, THAT THEY THINK THE CITIES ARE WASTING THEIR TIME BY BUYING ALL THESE GUNS AND THEN DESTROYING THEM, THAT THERE'S A BETTER USE TO THEM BY CIRCULATING THEM BACK INTO THE MARKET AND HAVING RETURNS AS A RESULT.

Ted Simons: I GUESS YOU COULD ARGUE THAT CITIES ARE WASTING MONEY BY MELTING THESE THINGS DOWN?

Luige del Puerto: THAT'S PART OF THE ARGUMENT. THERE WAS A VERY SPIRITED DEBATE AS YOU COULD IMAGINE. THIS IS THE FIRST GUN BILL OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR AND IT DEALS WITH THE SUBJECT. SOME PEOPLE ARE UPSET BY THAT. HEY, WHY ARE WE WASTING OUR TIME DISCUSSING THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE WHEN WE SHOULD DISCUSS THE LARGER PROBLEMS OF SOCIETY REGARDING MENTAL ILLNESS AND GUNS AND GUNS SAFETY.

Ted Simons: THE GOVERNOR LIKELY TO SIGN THIS?

Luige del Puerto: YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S SO TOUGH TO SEE IN ADVANCE OR EVEN HAVE A SENSE HOW THE GOVERNOR WOULD ACT ON GUN BILLS. IN THE MAIN SHE HAS BEEN VERY PRO-GUN, SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT ALLY OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. BUT SHE HAS VETOED PROPOSALS TO EXPAND GUN USE BEFORE. SO IT'S TOUGH TO SAY HOW SHE WOULD RESPOND ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL.

Ted Simons: IT ALSO SEEMS SHE GETS A LITTLE TOUCHY WHEN IT COMES TO STATES MEDDLING WITH COUNTIES AND CITY ACTIVITIES.

Luige del Puerto: THAT'S A RECURRING THEME IN PREVIOUS ACTIONS SHE HAS MADE. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE AND THEREFORE BEST TO DEAL WITH ISSUES. I'M NOT SURE IF THAT EXTENDS INTO THE GUN ISSUE. BUT SHE PREFERS THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEALS WITH LOCAL ISSUES.

Ted Simons: THE SENATE REVIVED THIS MEDICAL CARE PRICING BILL. THIS WAS VETOED AND THE SPONSOR WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT AND COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. BRING IT BACK AND TRY AGAIN?

Luige del Puerto: SHE HAS AMENDED THE VETOED BILL ONTO ANOTHER LEGISLATION TO REVIVE IT. NOW IT'S BACK ON THE TABLE AND LET'S SEE WHAT THE GOVERNOR DOES ASSUMING IT GETS TO HER DESK.

Ted Simons: THE IDEA IS THAT YOU HAVE TO POST EVERY HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL FACILITY, THEY HAVE TO POST PRICES FOR COMMON MEDICAL PROCEDURES?

Luige del Puerto: I WENT TO AN ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR, I HAD MY COPAY, WHICH WAS ABOUT 40$, BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT COSTS. THE HEALTH FACILITY OR HOSPITAL WOULD POST THE MOST COMMON PRICES OF THE MOST COMMON SERVICES THEY OFFER, JUST TO GIVE AN IDEA TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT -- MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN INSURANCE BUT THEY ARE PAYING CASH, TO GIVE AN IDEA HOW MUCH THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY. THERE’S THE IDEA TO BRING THE PRICES DOWN. YOU SHINE A LIGHT ON HOW MUCH THESE FOLKS ARE CHARGING YOU'LL PROBABLY BRING DOWN THE PRICES AS A RESULT OF COMPETITION.

Ted Simons: I WOULD IMAGINE THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY IS NOT SUPPORTING THIS.

Luige del Puerto: NO, THEY ARE NOT, THE HOSPITALS ARE AGAINST IT, MEDICAL SOCIETIES ARE AGAINST IT. THEY WILL WEIGH INTO THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO VETO THIS BILL.

Ted Simons: WILL THAT WEIGH INTO HER NEXT BILL, AS WELL? THE MEDICAID BILL IS STILL SITTING OUT THERE.

Luige del Puerto: WE DON'T KNOW TO WHAT EXTENT IT IS TRUE OR NOT, THE GOVERNOR MAY BE SENDING A MESSAGE, HEY, LOOK, I WANT MY MEDICAID PROPOSAL THROUGH. UNLESS I GET THAT ONE, YOU'RE NOT GETTING YOURS.

Ted Simons: YOU THINK SHE'S GOING TO SIGN THIS NEW AMENDED VERSION?

Luige del Puerto: THE CLOSEST WE CAN GAUGE WAS A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN SHE VETOED A PROPOSAL TWICE. THEY SENT IT TO HER, SHE SAID NO. THEY SENT IT TO HER, SHE SAID NO AGAIN.